Beach Holidays
Look out of the window – what do you see? Palm trees? White sand? Surfers and sunbathers? The dream of a getaway to the sun is no longer something that needs weeks of preparation and saving up, so why wait? Here is our guide to the best beach holiday to suit you.
For the family
Safe waters, clean sand, and plenty to keep the kids (big and small) entertained are what make for a perfect family beach holiday. Sardinia and Cyprus are excellent for this type of break with most popular holiday destinations catering to this group. Tour operators such as First Choice and Thomas Cook, and the convenience of package holidays offer special family deals in locations that have good amenities, a high level of security, and plenty to do - from snorkelling and swimming lessons to activity camps that keep the kids entertained, leaving the adults to unwind.
Many resorts have shallow-end pools for youngsters, and destinations range from the cheap and convenient including Portugal and Sicily, to the long-haul that might cause jetlag, but are well worth the trip such as South Africa and the Seychelles.
For the carefree
Beaches are usually a hub of nightlife and social activity for the younger traveller. Spanish and Portuguese coasts provide miles of entertainment in the sunshine, and plenty of opportunities to sip a cocktail by the water. If you are less 18-30 and more rustic adventure, companies like STA travel have lots of packages to South East Asia and Australasia that cater to the under 26s. Experience a different culture at the same time, and maybe even work some beach life into your gap year.
For the penny-pincher
You don’t need to travel far to find a place to eat ice cream and build sandcastles. Low cost airlines provide quick getaways to sunny beach spots in the Mediterranean, where it stays warm well after peak season – the temperature in Athens this January was in the early 20s! Buy your swimsuit in the sales, and top up your tan while others are starting their winter diets. If you are stuck in an urban jungle during the summer, the national coast is only minutes away, and offers a lot of the same perks. Brighton is ideal for fish and chips by the sea, Newquay is a surfer’s paradise, and Scarborough has perfect sandy beaches.
For the naturist
For the ultimate suntan without unsightly lines, head to a nudist beach. Majorca, Greece, Germany, Croatia, Canada, and Australia are among the destinations that cater to this market, and are a safe place for those wanting to get back to nature. Of course, there are some dos and don’ts – gawking, photography, and lewd behaviour are not tolerated, and may lead to a ban. Nudist beaches are usually further divided into sections for families, couples, and alternative lifestyles.
For the unknown
Tired of the usual sun, sea, and sand destinations? Try a holiday off the beaten track; let the map be your guide and cherry pick a location close to the equator that is all yours. Several countries such as the Dominican Republic and Thailand, are only just becoming known as beach destinations, and are yet to be drowned with bargain-bagging tourists. Vietnam offers some more remote beaches, and Bulgaria is an unlikely gem.
